Rhetoric & Writing at Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
47
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,377/yr (60% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Missouri State's Rhetoric and Composition program truly stands out nationally, largely due to its strong emphasis on practical, applied writing skills. You'll find graduates excelling in critical communication roles across diverse sectors throughout the Midwest, from technical content creation in manufacturing and healthcare to strategic communications and editing for corporate and non-profit organizations. This success stems from the program's likely focus on professional applications and strong regional employer connections in Springfield, a hub for various industries. While the data highlights a "Very High" AI risk for many writing-intensive careers, this isn't a deterrent but an opportunity. Your foundational skills in audience analysis, persuasion, and clarity become even more valuable in an AI-driven world. The key is to actively seek opportunities to integrate AI tools into your workflow, focusing on higher-level content strategy, prompt engineering, and critically evaluating AI-generated outputs. This strategic adaptation will position you as an indispensable asset.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Rhetoric & Writing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $498K $498K $464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.8x 13.8x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.9x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 47 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,096
Out-of-state: $71,712 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,008
-94% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,793
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,032
6% growth from Year 1

About Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State University-Springfield has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 13,407 in Springfield, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Missouri State University-Springfield →

Top Career Paths

Technical writers $91,670/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric & Writing at Missouri State University-Springfield?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric & Writing. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Rhetoric & Writing careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $464,115 in decade earnings vs $498,360 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Missouri State University-Springfield's Rhetoric & Writing program stand out?
Ranked #4 of 121 programs nationally, Missouri State University-Springfield lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →